Spain has called on the European Union to begin the process of lifting individual sanctions against Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, following the adoption of a new amnesty law by the Venezuelan parliament.
The proposal was announced by Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, as he arrived for a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. According to Albares, the Venezuelan issue was placed on the agenda at Madrid’s initiative.
“I intend to propose the launch of a procedure to remove individual restrictive measures against Delcy Rodríguez,” the minister said. He added that Spain believes the current Venezuelan leadership is showing signs of moving “in the right direction.”
The statement comes after Venezuela’s National Assembly unanimously approved the Law on Amnesty for Democratic Coexistence last week. The legislation provides for the release of individuals convicted on political grounds between January 1, 1999 and the law’s entry into force in 2026.
The idea of a broad amnesty was put forward by Rodríguez in late January 2026. She stated that the release of political prisoners is intended to promote national reconciliation, peace and democratic transformation in the country.
However, the amnesty will not apply to those convicted of serious crimes against humanity, human rights violations, intentional homicide, corruption offences or drug trafficking.
